The Steven Skinner Endowed Scholarship Fund
About the Scholarship Fund
Thanks to a generous donation from Cognizant, the NBMBAA® has established the Steven Skinner Endowed Scholarship Fund. As this is an endowed scholarship, the fund will award at least one scholarship each year in perpetuity to a qualified MBA student.
The scholarship recipient will be announced during our 46th Annual Conference on Thursday, September 19th at our Collegiate Reception. Students who are planning to attend the conference are encouraged to apply.
About Steven Skinner
Steven Skinner was a leading executive with Cognizant who passed away in 2019. Steven’s exceptional business career encompassed executive positions at several Fortune 500 companies, including his last role at Cognizant as Senior Vice President, Global Digital Transformation Consulting. Among his many career accomplishments, he was named as Consulting Magazine’s Top 25 Consultants in 2015, received the Cognizant CEO Leadership Award, the IBM Golden Circle Award, and the Monmouth College Hall of Achievement Award.
A native of Monmouth, IL, Steven was inducted as a midshipman to the United States Naval Academy and was a member of the Navy Men’s Basketball Team. After graduating with an economics degree from the Naval Academy, Steven spent 16 years in the United States Navy; the first five on active duty as the weapons officer onboard the USS Reuben James. Additionally, he spent 14 years as a Naval Reserve officer and was active as a Blue and Gold Officer essential in guiding young men and women to careers at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
“Our family is grateful to Cognizant for establishing this endowed scholarship fund in Steven’s name,” said Lisa Skinner, Steven’s wife. “He was a first-generation college and MBA graduate. He believed a good MBA program gave students access to a business network, which most minorities don’t have the privilege to get elsewhere. Steven’s retirement dream to become a college professor and share his life experience as a business leader to a new generation was never fulfilled. Thanks to Cognizant, this endowed scholarship will ensure that Steven’s dream to make an impact on future generations of business leaders is realized and everlasting.”
“It is our privilege to honor Steven’s memory with this scholarship fund,” said Shameka Young, Global Head, Cognizant Diversity & Inclusion. “With this endowment, we can ensure that his legacy of leadership, mentoring, and community involvement lives on in young and talented professionals.”
About Cognizant
Cognizant (Nasdaq-100: CTSH) engineers modern businesses. We help our clients modernize technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they can stay ahead in our fast-changing world. Together, we’re improving everyday life. See how at www.cognizant.com or @Cognizant.
Type
Scholarships will be available for graduate student members.
Amount
One scholarship to be awarded in 2024 at $5000; at least one scholarship will be awarded annually
Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must meet these criteria:
a. Members of the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA)
b. First-generation MBA or Graduate Students working on business-focused degrees
c. Have at least two years of work experience
d. Are in good academic standing and have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
Deadline to Apply: 8/15/2024